urn:taro:smu.00197Eugene B. Hawk papersA Guide to the CollectionFinding aid prepared by Allison Osborn, 2011.The Archives at Bridwell LibraryPerkins School of TheologySouthern Methodist UniversityDallas, TXFinding aid encoded by Ada Negraru,
2011.Finding aid written in English.Description based on DACS.
Overview
Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist UniversityHawk, Eugene BlakeEugene B. Hawk papers1924-19621930-19518 boxes (9 linear feet)Eugene B. Hawk (1881-1963) was an educator, minister, administrator, and mentor to young preachers. He served as the Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU), 1933-1951; the Vice-President of SMU, 1933-1938; Acting President of SMU, 1938-1939; and Executive Vice-President of SMU, 1939-1952. The bulk of the collection is correspondence, but financial documents, transcripts, loan applications, student grades, and minutes are also included. The materials were created and collected by Hawk during his years of service to SMU. Brid Arch 104.02Material is in English
Biographical Note

Eugene Blake Hawk, son of Hiram Decatur and Sarah Emma Hawk, was born in Blountville, Tennessee on September 6, 1881. He attended Holston College at Blountville for one year. He then entered Emory and Henry College and graduated with an A. B. degree in 1903. Following graduation Hawk taught school in Damascus, Virginia and studied law. He accepted a teaching position in McAlister, Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Later, Hawk left teaching to join a law firm with the intention of becoming a lawyer.

During a visit home to Damascus, Virginia, Hawk received and accepted an invitation to become the School Superintendent. However, during this time at Damascus, he felt a call to the ministry, resigned his position, and entered Vanderbilt University in order to receive ministerial training. After graduating from Vanderbilt with a B. D. degree in 1909, Hawk accepted an appointment at Walnut Springs church in the Cleburne district of Texas.

Hawk married Dora Patterson of Waxahachie, Texas in 1912, and they had two sons, Hiram Patterson and Richard Blake. Mrs. Hawk died December 8, 1918 during an influenza epidemic. In July 1920, Hawk married Amanda B. Hawkins of Fort Worth, Texas. They had one son, Riddle Lee.

In 1933, Dr. Charles C. Selecman, president of Southern Methodist University (SMU), invited Hawk to become the Dean of the School of Theology (later Perkins School of Theology). Hawk accepted and served as Dean from 1933 until 1951. While at SMU he also served as Vice-President of the university and as Acting President during the interim period between Selecman’s and Umphrey Lee’s presidencies. Thereafter, Hawk served as Executive Vice-President of SMU until his retirement in 1952.

Soon after retirement, Hawk became the Associate Minister of University Park Methodist Church (Dallas) and remained there until 1962. After finishing that ministerial appointment, Dean Joseph Quillian invited Hawk to return to Perkins, have his old office, and become an advisor to the Dean. Thus, Hawk returned to the Perkins School of Theology. He died of a heart attack a year later on October 11, 1963.

Eugene B. Hawk made two distinctive contributions to Methodism in the Southwest: first, the construction of the First Methodist Church facility in Fort Worth during his six-year pastorate, and second, the building of the Perkins School of Theology Quadrangle on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Hawk’s contributions to the Perkins School of Theology, in addition to the Quadrangle, include the introduction of Ministers’ Week and the initiation of the Perkins School of Theology Journal.

The Eugene B. Hawk papers chronicle Dr. Hawk’s time as Dean of the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Some materials from his time as Vice-President of the university are also included. The Hawk papers feature nine linear feet of correspondence, contracts, photographs, apartment agreements, programs, invoices, minutes, reports, and transcripts. The materials in the collection demonstrate Dean Hawk’s dedication to religious education and willingness to help ministerial students.

Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:Office files, 1924-1962285 folders

The first series, Office files, contains 285 folders of material produced and collected by Eugene B. Hawk during his service at SMU. The series includes correspondence, contracts, apartment agreements, programs, invoices, minutes, reports, and other administrative papers. Records pertaining to minority and international students, Ministers’ Week, and chaplains serving in the Armed Forces during World War II are of particular note. Folders containing student academic and financial data may be closed to the public for a period of seventy-five years. Square brackets indicate supplied folder titles.

The second series contains five folders of photographs. The majority of the photographs were attached to various forms. For example, prospective students included a portrait with their admission application.

The third series contains oversize materials. The series includes legal documents, materials on chaplains serving in WWII, loan recommendations, student enrollment counts, transcripts, and correspondence.